United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg was in Charlotte Thursday to announce $27 million in federal funding to support infrastructure improvements at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The airport, one of the busiest in the country and one of the most powerful economic engines in the region, will receive funding to aid passenger experience at CLT, making it easier to get from the plane to the terminal gate. The money will help fund the replacement of up to 16 passenger boarding bridges and associated ground power units and pre-conditioned air units.
CLT Alliance President and CEO Janet LaBar and Chief Advocacy Officer Joe Bost were among the guests invited to the airport for Thursday’s announcement.
Vinay Patel, executive committee chair of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority and CLT Alliance Advocacy Committee member, touted the importance of the airport to tourism and economic development in the region. CLT is among the busiest airports in the world and experienced record-breaking passenger numbers last year, largely due to the impact of the American Airlines hub.
The funding is part of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) award of $970 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Investing in America agenda to 114 airports across the country. This is the third year of grants given out by the Airport Terminals Program
“Under this administration, we are doing more to improve the travel experience than ever before, from expanding consumer protections to modernizing the physical infrastructure,” Buttigieg said. “These investments we’re announcing … will make it easier for passengers to get to and through airports, create jobs, and increase safety for all.”
